Centuries ago, a young boy cloaked in black with a crimson inner robe walked along a winding path that branched into the heart of an ancient forest. His long black-and-blue hair fluttered slightly with each step, and the soft crunch of leaves beneath his boots echoed in the silence.
At the center of the forest, a young girl waited. She resembled him in more ways than one—soft, pale skin that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light, golden eyes that shimmered like molten gold, and long hair streaked with red and black. Her beauty rivaled that of the goddess of love herself.
"So… after bringing me to this dimension all those years ago, you finally decided to visit me," Liz said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"I'm sorry," Leo replied softly, taking a step closer. "I had… things to do." His eyes softened as he gazed at her. "What can I do to make up for it?"
"Well…" she trailed off, reaching for his hand. Together, they moved to lean against a tree. Liz rested her head on his lap, her hair brushing against his knees.
"Spend all your time with me," she whispered.
"I already do," he said, running his fingers through her hair.
"I know, but…" She lifted her head, tears welling in her golden eyes. "Now our mom is gone. We have nothing left."
Leo pulled her into his embrace, holding her close. "We still have each other," he murmured.
She buried her face in his chest. "Our father… before he died, he mentioned an elder brother. Not blood-related…" she whispered, voice barely audible.
"Yeah… as long as we have each other, I don't feel lonely," she said, closing her eyes.
"Umm… brother," she murmured again.
"Yes…" he replied.
"Do you… hate me?"
"No. How could I ever hate you?" he answered firmly.
Her voice faltered as she continued. "Our race… we were meant to be emotionless killers, but I… I'm a defect…"
"We're all the same," he interrupted gently.
She flushed, confusion mingling with relief. "What do you mean?"
"The reason our mother was banished after giving birth to us," he said softly, "was that she couldn't maintain her… emotionless facade. She was caught. That's why."
A weight lifted from her chest, and she murmured, "Okay…" before drifting into sleep on his shoulder.
Leo leaned against her, closing his eyes, letting the quiet forest absorb their rest.
But shadows stirred. Dark forms slithered through the trees, coalescing where the two lay.
"So… this is the Calamity Duo," one hissed from the darkness.
"Let's make this quick," another replied, his fists ignited with swirling mana, each strike capable of leveling mountains.
Before they could act, Leo's shadow elongated. From it emerged a form—an entity of pure darkness—that grasped their fists and hurled them backward. They skidded across the forest floor, leaving deep furrows in their wake.
Emerging from the shadows, a figure in a black-and-purple robe stood, eyes glowing red.
"Ryuki… the former ruler of the Dragon Race, right?" one of the assailants asked, voice trembling.
"How do you… know him?" the other stammered.
"His presence," the first answered. "And one recognizes a ruler when they see one."
"I am. So what of it?" Ryuki's cold voice cut through the forest, sending chills down their spines.
"Why… why did you abandon us?" one demanded.
"It was a duel. I lost. That's all." Ryuki's gaze shifted to Leo. "I didn't lose to him… but to a dog."
"A dog?" the Dragon Race warrior echoed, disbelief cracking his tone.
"Yes. And why?" Ryuki replied, unashamed.
The other muttered, "Dog… DOG?!"
"You know of the 'dog'?" the first asked.
"Who doesn't?" the other replied. "Among the rulers, there was said to be one who stood above them all—whose power rivaled the gods themselves."
"All that doesn't matter now. Will you fight me… or continue your assassination?" Ryuki's aura seeped like ice through the forest.
The two swallowed hard. "Assassinate," they said in unison.
Ryuki nodded and stepped aside.
The assassins approached the twins cautiously, whispering to each other.
"Think he'll stay out of it?" one asked.
"If he's still the man he was… he will."
In a blink, one of them dashed forward, dagger in hand, slicing through the air toward the twins' necks. The blade stopped mere centimeters from its mark—then vanished, as if it had never existed.
A voice hissed from behind. "Duck."
The sound of a sword unsheathing cut through the air. Trees splintered and fell around them, the forest obliterated into dust.
"I can't believe you failed at such a simple task," Ryder said, standing amid the devastation.
"The difference in power… it's too great," the other admitted.
"When you kill someone, make sure they're dead," Ryuki's voice echoed coldly, unmoving.
When the dust settled, Liz stood before them, a calm smile on her face.
"Big brother is tired. Why wake him?" she asked, her voice light, yet edged with a dangerous sharpness.
"You think all this was just to wake him?" Ryder snarled, irritated.
"Of course. Like you wouldn't use this… toy?" Liz held his blade in her hand, fingers grazing the hilt.
He froze. "When did she…?"
"She's fast. The fastest I've ever seen," he muttered.
Ryuki's lips curled into a small smile. Normally, people think Leo is the dangerous one, but the real threat… is his sister. Leo only covers for her. Let's see what she can do.
"Fine. I'll give you both a chance," she grinned.
Another version of Liz—void-like, ethereal—appeared from nowhere. The original tossed her blade to her.
"They're yours," she said.
Blades clashed and space itself warped as the enemies were effortlessly dispatched. Void Liz vanished; the original returned, repairing the shredded forest with a casual yawn.
"They couldn't even give me a proper warm-up," she muttered. Her gaze shifted to Leo.
"I know I'm supposed to lay low… but—"
"It's okay," he said softly, stepping forward. "As long as you weren't hurt."
"These people can't touch me… literally," she laughed, a hint of mischief in her tone. Leo's hand brushed hers.
"It's good to believe in yourself… but promise me you'll stay alive," he said, voice firm.
"I promise," she whispered, embracing him tightly.
⸻
Before the sun rose, Sage moved silently through the infirmary, phantom pulse guiding her. She overheard a conversation.
"To think the Phantom Organization's head was here the entire time," a female voice murmured.
"Well, it's time to restore the organization, my lady," a male voice replied.
Sage phased through the wall, glimpsing the ruler of humans bowing before a regal woman of golden eyes and flowing blonde hair.
Returning to Kira's room, she found him still asleep. Panic clawed at her chest.
"Senpai…" she whispered, clasping his hand. "What do they mean… 'restoring the organization'?"
Footsteps approached. Sage vanished.
A cloaked woman appeared, black hole insignia on her back, summoning Kira's blade. It multiplied, stabbing him relentlessly—everywhere but his head and heart. Then, softly, she traced his face, brushing his hair aside.
Their faces were inches apart.
Slowly, deliberately, the blade pierced his heart, bypassing immortality. She faded with the morning mist.
⸻
When the sun rose, the Crimson Class gathered. Rich took his usual seat, voice calm.
"Today isn't an official class day," he began. "But I summoned you to tell you something."
Sylara and Thane entered.
"Yo, Rich," Thane greeted, but Rich didn't acknowledge him.
"Rich-sensei, I'm here to honor the deal I made with Kira," Sylara said, glancing at Sage.
Rich nodded. "That means the alliance is formed, yes?" Thane asked.
The Crimsons exchanged glances. "Since it increases our survival chances, sure," Dice said, grinning.
"You heard them," Rich said, turning to Thane and Sylara, who nodded and started to leave.
Sylara paused. If I hadn't seen him fight that day… I would've underestimated him, even holding back.
Rich's gaze returned to the Crimsons. Chris entered silently, taking a seat in the front row. Rich ignored him. Silence stretched.
"Why are you not talking?" Thane finally asked.
"I was creating the perfect mood… but you broke it," Rich said indifferently, relaxing on the table.
Rich's calm voice finally cut through. "The news is… Kira is dead."